Advocacy for Improved Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
There is no universal definition of advocacy in development; depending on the professional role, it encompasses a spectrum from campaigning to ensuring the voices of local people are heard far beyond their community. The main direct/ indirect target audiences are public institutions and policymakers with the objective of changing policies, programmes and resource allocation.
For Women and Children First advocacy means speaking for the cause, in our case maternal and newborn health, at local, national and international level.
Advocacy is an integral component of Women and Children First’s work; as stated in our Strategic Framework, “policy analysis and advocacy initiatives can influence those in positions of power to bring about changes that make a real difference to people’s health and welfare”. In order to achieve our Mission “to improve the health and wellbeing of women, girls and children in poor and marginalised communities with an emphasis on pregnant women and the first 28 days of the newborn’s life” any programme must include an element of influencing decision-makers and fund holders whether it be at grassroots, national or international level.
Women and Children First’s international programme is responsive to current thinking on the role of Northern NGOs; that is, to help build the capacity of Southern NGOs to make their voices heard in national and international fora.
To read about current developments in advocating for Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH), please read our advocacy newsletter and supplement by clicking here.
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